Big Apple Schools Worrying About Illegal “Belonging” In Schools

New York City schools are fortifying support for immigrant students as the Trump administration’s immigration policies loom on the horizon.

At a Glance

  • NYC schools are updating policies in response to potential mass deportations
  • Efforts are being made to reduce fear and enhance “belonging” in school communities
  • Schools are reminding communities about DHS policies designating schools as “protected areas”
  • Training for school staff on handling ICE agents and immigration issues is being implemented
  • The Department of Education is hosting “know your rights” sessions for parents and staff

Schools Brace for Impact

As the Trump administration’s immigration policies cast a shadow over New York City’s educational landscape, school administrators are taking measures to protect and support immigrant students. The city’s Department of Education has issued comprehensive instructions to school leaders, reinforcing existing regulations that restrict non-local agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from entering schools without due process.

Principals have received reminders about city policies, emphasizing that schools do not collect students’ immigration information and that immigration officers need warrants to enter school premises.

Educating the Educators

A key component of the city’s strategy involves educating school staff about the rights of immigrant students and the proper procedures to follow if faced with immigration enforcement at schools. Alejandra Vázquez Baur, an expert in the field, highlights the importance of this education:

“You would be surprised how few people whose job it is to educate know that undocumented people have a right to that education. A lot of this information is not shared with educators,” Alejandra Vázquez Baur said.

This knowledge gap underscores the necessity of the training sessions being conducted across the city. The Department of Education, in collaboration with Project Rousseau, an immigrant advocacy group, is hosting “know your rights” sessions for parents and staff. These sessions aim to empower the school community with critical information about their legal rights and available resources.

Safeguarding Student Security

New York City’s public schools have long-standing policies to prevent sharing information with non-local law enforcement agencies. This commitment to safeguarding student privacy and security remains unchanged in the face of potential federal immigration enforcement actions. The city’s stance is bolstered by local laws that prevent the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement.

“Our schools are safe harbors for our children and nothing has changed in terms of how we operate,” Nicole Brownstein said.

Challenges and Community Response

Despite these measures, schools face significant challenges. The threat of increased immigration enforcement has led to heightened anxiety among students, resulting in increased absenteeism and performance issues. Adam Strom, an educator, articulates the delicate balance required in addressing students’ concerns:

“And so if you’re an educator in school, how do you answer a kid when they ask are their parents going to be deported? You don’t want to give false assurance. At the same time, you don’t want to create additional anxiety,” Strom said.